Malls Make Way for Grocers

Food markets are warmly received by shopping centers eager to fill vacancies, add foot traffic in the aftermath of the recession

By Tanya Mannes, The San Diego Union-Tribune

For many years, the mall was where you would go to browse through racks
of clothes, see a blockbuster movie or stop by the food court for a
snack.

Now you can also pick up a bunch of bananas, a gallon of milk or even a cellophane-wrapped steak for dinner.

There’s a new trend of supermarkets setting up shop in malls, and it’s
changing our retail landscape. Grocery stores from Jimbo’s Naturally to
Trader Joe’s are starting to move in. And Target is already a familiar
mall presence with its recently expanded grocery sections.

These supermarkets are being welcomed in some cases, even courted by
malls who have lost anchor stores such as Borders and Mervyns. They’re
betting that fresh food will help re-energize their properties and bring
customers back regularly.